The use of medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has surged across Europe over the last decade, especially among adults, according to a comprehensive study published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe. This research, part of the Data Analysis and Real World Interrogation Network (DARWIN EU), analyzed electronic health records from over 198,000 individuals in five European countries: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom between 2010 and 2023.
The study found that ADHD medication usage more than tripled in the UK and more than doubled in the Netherlands during this period. The findings indicate a consistent increase in ADHD treatment across all countries involved in the analysis. Notably, the most significant growth was observed among adults, particularly women.
Xintong Li, lead author of the study from the University of Oxford, remarked, “We observed a consistent increase in ADHD medication use across Europe, but the most striking changes were among adults, especially women.” The data suggests heightened awareness and diagnosis of adult ADHD, raising crucial questions about long-term treatment patterns and care requirements.
The analysis highlights that adults aged 25 and over experienced the most pronounced increases in medication use. In the UK, the number of women receiving ADHD medication rose more than twenty-fold, while for men, the increase was around fifteen-fold. Although men are still more likely to be prescribed ADHD medication, the gap between the sexes has narrowed significantly over time.
Understanding the patterns of ADHD medication usage is essential for effective health care planning. Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, senior author of the study, noted, “These data can help health systems anticipate demand and reduce the risk of future medication shortages, while also highlighting populations that may need closer monitoring.”
Methylphenidate remains the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication across all five countries studied. However, newer treatments such as lisdexamfetamine and guanfacine have shown steady uptake following their market approval. Despite this growth in prescriptions, the continuity of treatment after initial prescription remains relatively low, with significant variations between countries.
The findings underscore the growing recognition of ADHD as a lifelong condition and emphasize the need for healthcare systems to prepare for increasing demand. This is particularly pressing given the ongoing shortages of ADHD medications in various parts of Europe.
As the landscape of ADHD treatment evolves, these insights will be critical for health organizations aiming to better serve patients and ensure adequate resources are available. The full study, titled “Trends in use of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medications among children and adults in five European countries, 2010 to 2023: a population-based observational study,” can be accessed through The Lancet Regional Health—Europe with the DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101556.
